70-216 - Can I expect an easier time preparing for 216?

Author

Can I expect an easier time preparing for 216?

fsjcp2

2003-12-10, 2:09 am

I just earned my MCSA after passing 70-218 this past Friday. My next goal is to pass 216, 228 and 229 so that I'll be certified MCDBA. I started studying for 70-216 yesterday.

I'm wondering if the deeper topics on DNS, DHCP, IIS, RRAS, WINS are what makes this a challenging exam, or is it the networking standards like TCP/IP, etc.?

Based on my background knowledge on networks from my CCNA and Network+, can I expect to have an easier time studying for the 70-216?

Thanks in advance.

jocampo

2003-12-10, 8:39 am

quote:
Originally posted by fsjcp2
I just earned my MCSA after passing 70-218 this past Friday. My next goal is to pass 216, 228 and 229 so that I'll be certified MCDBA. I started studying for 70-216 yesterday.

I'm wondering if the deeper topics on DNS, DHCP, IIS, RRAS, WINS are what makes this a challenging exam, or is it the networking standards like TCP/IP, etc.?

Based on my background knowledge on networks from my CCNA and Network+, can I expect to have an easier time studying for the 70-216?

Thanks in advance.

This a challenging exam because the test itself: kind of question, total time available, too much topics to study...etc, etc, etc.

If you have not much W2K Network experience, i do not recommend you to take this test very soon. Take 1 or 2 month of hands on practice and labs before take the real test. My 2 cents!

jeff_j_black

2003-12-10, 10:16 am

Do not expect an easier time...

fsjcp2

2003-12-11, 2:31 am

Thanks for your response.

I currently prepare for my exams by getting a hold of a book that's regarded by Amazon reviewers to be very good. I'll take into consideration the one star reviewers and decide for myself whether that's an issue that I'll have problems with myself. I've been fortunate to find the books that I've settled on to be best for me. For 70-216 I'm using the Syngress/Osborne book. It's the first time that I've used a book from this publisher but I've already discovered that I like the layout and the ability of the author to express the concepts that you need to get a grasp off. After reading this book and doing the hands-on exercises on my mini-lab I'll read the latest Exam Cram 2 book to get ready. When I'm done with the Exam Cram 2 book I'll practice testing on Transcender for a few days. I'll then go and take my exam and arrive there early to go over the pull-out review sheet from the Exam Cram 2 book. So far this approach has worked very well for me. Hopefully it'll continue to work for this exam and any following ones.

Cheers!

jeff_j_black

2003-12-11, 8:45 am

Best of luck! Just make sure to spend a lot of time configuring each of the services and explore every dialogue box and option. This is very helpful for the exam.

curiousgeorge

2003-12-11, 11:19 am

I agree with Jeff. The more time you spend in front of a computer setting up all the services, the more the questions and answers will make sense.

(side note- I can't believe M$ now certifies people as an MCSA WITHOUT taking 216)

former33t

2003-12-11, 11:26 am

It would seem that the networking information base covered in 70-218 really is not sufficient to certify someone as a "Systems Administrator." But then again, the whole microsoft certification program is a little weak overall. If they want the value of their certifications to continue, they need to move to a performance based exam, or at a minimum simulation based like cisco does.

Jacob Williams (Network Admin)
CCNA, MCSA
former33t.homelinux.org

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